My musical investigation is a comparison of the musical styles of isicathamiya versus and modern day a cappella. Both styles of music are different forms of a cappella, a medium of music that consists of a soloist or group singing a composition without instruments supporting the vocalists (there's no instrumentation involved to serve as an accompaniment), as opposed to cantata, a vocal composition with instrumental accompaniment. Both styles of music also have developed from religious origins. However, modern day a cappella uses rhythm voices and focuses on a backbeat percussion sound instead of an overall rich full harmonious sound like the styles of isicathamiya. Isicathamiya songs also focus on South African heritage and culture such as Ladysmith Black Mambazo’s rendition of “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” while modern day a cappella songs are vocal arrangements of contemporary, modern day music.
